Route
18 widening project moves forward

NJDOT
to begin reconstruction of New Street interchange

(Trenton) - The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) today announced
the start of the second phase of its Route 18 widening project
in New Brunswick. NJDOT will begin work to reconstruct the New
Street intersection and bridge and reconstruct Route 18 southbound
between Richmond Street and George Street. In addition, NJDOT
will reconstruct Paulus Boulevard and build the Carpender Road
pedestrian bridge and the Route 27 underpass.

The
following changes in the traffic pattern on Route 18 in New Brunswick
will be made in order to accommodate the necessary construction
in the area:

On April 10, the New Street intersection will
be closed for demolition. Route 18 traffic will no longer
have access to the New Street exit.

Starting
Saturday morning, April 1, Route 18 Northbound traffic will
be diverted onto the newly installed pavement in the center
of the roadway just north of George Street (South of Commercial
Avenue). Traffic will rejoin the original roadway just past
New Street.

The
following traffic shifts on Route 18 in New Brunswick are currently
in effect through November:

Starting
March 30, two lanes of traffic on Route 18 Southbound shifted
onto two lanes of Burnett Street, just south of Albany Street.
Traffic now proceeds on Burnett Street under the New Street
Bridge and then is routed back onto the Route 18 mainline.
To implement this traffic shift, there is a temporary stop
sign located at the intersection of Burnett Street and Route
18 allowing for traffic from Route 18 to have priority at
that intersection.

On
March 31, a
double left turn was implemented for Route 18 Northbound traffic
to access Commercial Avenue. The newly installed traffic signal
will be activated and traffic no longer will utilize the right-hand
jug handle for Commercial Avenue access. The Commercial Avenue
jug handle has been closed.

This
project will
fully reconstruct a dilapidated stretch of Route 18 from Route
1 to the NJ TRANSIT/Amtrak Northeast Corridor rail bridge and
add auxiliary lanes in both directions to reduce the extreme congestion
caused by vehicles traveling in and out of downtown New Brunswick.
The project began in August 2005 and has progressed on
schedule.

Motorists
are encouraged to drive carefully to protect themselves and workers
in the construction zone. Variable Message Signs will be in place
to inform motorists of the changes in traffic pattern.
Real time travel and construction information is available online
at www.njcommuter.com.
Information regarding ridesharing, public transportation and park
and rides serving the Route 18 project area also can be found
online
.